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Grimspace

(Sirantha Jax #1)

Ann Aguirre (Goodreads Author),

Suzanna Duff (Narrator)

3.77 · Rating details · 16,406 ratings · 1,577 reviews

As the carrier of a rare gene, Sirantha Jax has the ability to jump ships through grimspace - a talent which makes her a highly prized navigator for the Corp. Then a crash landing kills everyone on board, leaving Jax in a jail cell with no memory of the crash. But her fun's not over. A group of rogue fighters frees her...for a price: her help in overthrowing the establishe ...more

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Audiobook, 10 pages

Published August 2nd 2010 by Penguin Audiobooks (first published February 26th 2008)

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May 17, 2012 Emily May rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012, sci-fi

I've always said that I'm a honest reviewer, so to continue being truthful it has to be said that this review is late due to me being stranded in London overnight, after spending the day getting ever so slightly drunk and then going to see The Avengers in 3D. So yeah, now we've got that out of the way, I can't see any reasons not to like Grimspace. Apparently, some people found it difficult to connect with the characters, but I had no such problem. I would liken the love/hate relationships - filled with sarcasm and humour - between the crew to that of other group relationships in sci-fi. It reminded me a touch of Firefly, and even more so of Torchwood.

Sirantha Jax has all the typical elements I look for in a good heroine - she's strong, snarky, ass-kicking, she's not immune to the local hottie but she can keep her head and focus on the more important things when it matters... but at the same time Jax is different as well. She's thirty-three for a start, a fair bit older than your typical heroine, and I like the idea that women don't have to be fresh out of high school to kick ass and be awesome. More of this, please. And the author's choice to mix typical urban fantasy with science fiction works really well. Urban fantasy is a genre that constantly produces more and more of the same thing, some people will come back to it time after time because of this reason - but I prefer something a little unique, and unique is hard to come by.

I remember Tatiana's review of Unholy Ghosts and how she said that there's no point reading the synopsis of urban fantasy books anymore because they are practically all the same. Grimspace is one of those rare books that does offer something different. The setting, for one thing, and the use of a team for another. I normally find the latter to be the big difference between sci-fi/fantasy in books and on tv. The majority of tv shows have a team of main characters who work together to solve the paranormal mysteries, Buffy and Angel did, Firefly and Roswell did, Torchwood, Vampire Diaries, The Secret Circle... in urban fantasy books there's usually only a heroine and the occasional appearance of mr sexy.

I used to think this was because they used 1st person narrative, but Ms Aguirre has disproved that theory and successfully written a novel from Jax's POV, but with a well-developed team dynamic. I've been re-watching Torchwood recently and I couldn't help comparing Jax to Gwen Cooper - the group newbie who is at first reluctantly accepted but eventually develops a closeness with the group (still punctuated by sarcasm and jovial insults, of course). Being inside Jax's head is hilarious, she has a perfectly-timed mental comment for every situation and I found myself laughing aloud many times. I really liked this, and I really liked March.

I commented early on about the way March was introduced to the reader, the way he is described by his actions and behaviour instead of his looks. We are never told that March is beautiful or perfect or sparkly, he is enigmatic and interesting and that's a million times hotter than just being hot. However, we are told that he has a cute butt... I don't know about you, but I say YAY!!! There's some smut too, as if you needed another reason to read this.

Okay, I can't promise anyone that they'll love this, if you're not a hardcore urban fantasy lover then you're probably picky like me and a lot will depend on how well you connect with the characters. All I can say is that I found it extremely enjoyable and I'm really looking forward to reading the rest of the series. ...more

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Dec 04, 2014 ✘✘ Sarah ✘✘ (former Nefarious Breeder of Murderous Crustaceans) rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Recommends it for: Humans. Animals. Insects. Aliens. Mutants. J-gene carriers. Theta waves hunks. The whole universe.

Shelves: science-fiction, absolute-favourites, cool-kick-ass-chicks-ltd, br-2015, poof-gone-harem, 2015, i-used-to-hate-space

⚠️ Warning: I know most of you already have the popcorn handy but now would be a good time to grab a drink as well. And clear your schedule. This should take a while.

Actual rating: ~~4.5 stars~~. Oh, who am I kidding?! Let's try this again shall we?
Actual rating: 5.5 stars. Now that's more like it!

First, let's get something out of the way real quick:

There. That should take care of most of the problem. Then again maybe not. Oh well. Are you ready? Let's do this.

💣 Irritating list of the Potentially I ...more

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Sep 10, 2011 carol. rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: female-lead, romance, sci-fi

One occasionally hears the words "space opera" tossed around the science fiction world and it is certainly been applied here. While I'm not entirely sure of my grasp of genre characteristics, it occurs to me that Grimspace is actually soap opera.

Grimspace is full of Very Serious Angst. It begins with the main character, Sirantha Jax in prison. Her unusual genetics allow her to 'jump' a ship through space and there was a disaster where she and her partner were piloting a ship that crashed and do
One occasionally hears the words "space opera" tossed around the science fiction world and it is certainly been applied here. While I'm not entirely sure of my grasp of genre characteristics, it occurs to me that Grimspace is actually soap opera.

Grimspace is full of Very Serious Angst. It begins with the main character, Sirantha Jax in prison. Her unusual genetics allow her to 'jump' a ship through space and there was a disaster where she and her partner were piloting a ship that crashed and dozens of people died. Because of amnesia surrounding the event, she's been agonizing for weeks, wondering if she's falling prey to the jumpers' end-of-life mental illness. One day a new visitor arrives in her cell, a haughty and aristocratic man. They meditate, discuss, and he offers her a choice: escape to freedom or die in the Corporation prison. It is obvious to everyone but Jax that the Corp is setting her up, but she's too busy guilt-tripping herself to see it. Still, she's ornery and ragey so March is able to goad her into coming along. Of course, March is the pilot of the escape ship, which will mean he and Jax have to connect quite intimately--in their minds. March brings her to a planet where some frontier-type rebels are looking to find and train jumpers before the Corp does and so break their hold on interstellar transport. It'll lead them to a muddy planet, a space station and eventually back to Earth.

It isn't a bad book by any means and I was motivated to try it by friends' positive reviews. I enjoyed it for a while, although I felt like there was excessive self-pity (Jax) and arrogance (March) standing in for characterization and a general tendency to have climactic events every few pages (gun fights! chases! car wrecks! aliens that want to eat them! stranding! the end of a dynasty!) More importantly, it ended up unable to strike a narrative tone that was consistent with theme or action. Sarcastic distancing? Check. Emotional melodrama? Check. Noble self sacrifice? Check. Horror? Check. Apathy? Check. Lust? Yep. It attempts to be simultaneously flippant and angry, and then throws in emotional moments in intimacy and shocking plot revelations. I felt like everything should be In Capital Letters Because it Means Something Important. Surprisingly, there's a fair amount of death, which doesn't seem to play fair with the reader when one is writing pulp. The plot revelations are not really anything unexpected--to everyone but Jax-and so it ends up seeming trite.

It's hard to put my finger on exactly why the writing doesn't work for me. Perhaps because Aguirre takes aim at a moral of Individuals Versus Big Corporations as a theme and it seems so... ordinary. Perhaps its because the relationship between Jax and March was evident from within about two hours of their meeting each other (book-time, certainly not my reading time), although it had to be concealed in the adolescent style banter of "I don't want to." "You have to." "Make me." "Just do it." "No, you make me." coupled with the supposed intimacy of 'glimpsing' each other's 'secret' thoughts.
I was mildly intrigued for awhile with the thought that Jax may be on her way to burning out mentally and becoming a paranoid misanthrope. I don't normally do maudlin, but it could have gone there--Jax is clearly addicted to the process of 'jumping,' of losing herself in the Universe of the experience, and that might have been an intriguing path. Except it turns out that she has Snowflake powers, so she won't.

Honestly, about the time they are on the Macho Man's space station and Jax (view spoiler) I was done. I basically skimmed most of the rest, and found subsequent plot points seeming even sillier. There's a horrible Predator-type alien that Comes To Know and Admire Jax, and if I hadn't rolled my eyes earlier, I did then. What it boils down to for me is that like a fifteen-year-old, it takes itself Very Very Seriously with lots of Big Meaning. It compounds emotional drama with physical drama and never explores either particularly well.

Like Jubilation Lee's review points out, it does have some similarity with Firefly, but without the compassion or charm. And that makes all the difference.

***Two And A HALF STARS!** ...more

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Mar 24, 2021 Giorgia Reads rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: urban-fantasy, 2021-reads, sci-fi

3.5 stars

The beginning and the first half of the book felt very anti climatic. I mean, sure, I was a little interested in seeing what was going to happen to her post escape (which was right at the start of the book) but it was more of a “hmm, let’s see where this goes” rather than “can’t wait to follow this storyline and I’m so excited to read every word”.

I tried hard to gather the smallest amount of interest but I found myself constantly checking the page count. Until about 60% into the book ...more

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Mar 25, 2015 Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽ rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: library-has, science-fiction, space-opera, you-go-girl-kickass-heroine, kinda-steamy, sometimes-fun-beats-profound

Grimspace is what this novel calls the hyperspace dimension used for FTL (faster than light) travel between star systems. Ominous, no? Certain humans, like our main character, Sirantha Jax, carry a gene that enables them to guide space ships through grimspace. But Sirantha has been involved in a tragic and mysterious crash that killed everyone aboard her ship except her, and now she's in custody and being blamed for the crash, and is undergoing ~~psychological torture~~ treatment. When a tough-looki ...more

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Jun 04, 2013 P. Kirby rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: romance, science-fiction

2.5 stars.

Sirantha is "kick-ass?" Really? I have bunny slippers that are more fearsome.

Ahem, the review...

Sirantha Jax is a navigator, a human with a particular genome that gives her the ability to navigate the space in-between-space known as grimspace. Typically, the lifespan of navigators is short, since all that time in the nether reaches of space turns a person's mind to moosh. But Sirantha, now in her thirties, is a veritable ancient in her profession.

The novel begins with Sirantha in a hol ...more

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Mar 09, 2015 Carole (Carole's Random Life) rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: science-fiction, reviewed, 2015, buddy-read, paranormal

Buddy read with the wonderful MacHalo Group.

5 Stars!

This book is cover to cover awesomeness. I actually need to recover from the awesomeness that is this book before I could sit down and actually write a coherent review. Simply put - I fell completely in love with this book. When I first heard about the buddy read planned by one of my Goodreads groups, I almost didn't join in. I am so far behind in my reading that I wasn't sure I had the time not to mention the fact that I had not heard of this ...more

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Mar 10, 2015 Robin (Bridge Four) rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: buddy-read, super-sidekicks, chick-i-want-to-hang-out-with, kick-ass-heroines, o-captain-my-captain, 4-5-stars, sexy, sci-fi, book-boyfriend-material, uf-pnr

4.5 Fragging Stars

MacHalo Girls (Some really cool chicks to read a book with) + Sirithura Jax (Anti-Heroinesk which is not the same thing as a bitch) + Oh Captain My Captain March (Theta Wave orgasm inducing OMG I want to try that semi asshole hero Um yes please, I think I love you) + Space Jumping (somewhat confusing but just go with it) + Off world clans and mad scientists

Let’s just say that Sirantha Jax is my kind of heroine. She doesn’t really whine or complain, she has compartments to sh ...more

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Apr 16, 2009 Felicia rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: sci-fi

Oooh, I created another category on my shelf for this book: Vaginal Sci-Fi! Yum!

I liked this book. I really liked the way it was written. There were some pacing problems though, especially towards the end, but it was a really interesting book that avoided a lot of cliches I've been reading lately, had a nice romance that didn't take over the whole book. I really liked it and just got the sequel, so yay! Urban-fantasy fans might want to check it out. ...more

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Dec 19, 2013 Liz* Fashionably Late rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Recommends it for: YOU. Yeah, you. Damn right I'm talking to you... go read it, come on! attaboy.

Shelves: 1st-in-series, fantasy, adventure, this-guy-should-be-real, amazing-heroines, science-fiction, author-we-should-be-friends, buddy-read, awesome-series, read-2015

Warning: I've finished this book about four days ago but I'm still freaking out a little. Bear with me.

Buddy Read with the dysfunctional MacHalo Family.

So, I'm not gonna write a review today because I've received a big number of messages these days asking me about Grimspace. If you don't believe me, ask my unicorn. So, I'll be answering the most interesting ones:

Q: Liz, what did you hate about this book?

A: Your question is stupid, I hate you.

Q: Dear Liz, love your hair. Can you tell me why are you freaking out over a book with just a 3.77 average rating?
A: That's exactly what I'd like to know, actually. How come this amazing gem is almost unknown, it's still a mystery to me. But I'm on a mission to reveal the world its awesomeness. So spread the word, we've got an amazing author here, writing a kickass series (I've seen five stars by friends in next installments). Space jumping, kickass heroine, amazing secondary characters and heartbreaking ending. What are you waiting for?? Go, read it!

And thanks, my secret is to use conditioner BEFORE the shampoo.

Q: Hi there, Liz! Is it true you snore?
A: Yes, it is. Women snore too. Moving on.

Q: Give me five reasons why Jax is amazing.
A: Just five?
description

Main Character is no Mary Sue. This girl kicks butts, saves the guy and has a sick sense of humor without losing her diplomatic finesse (the last thing is not true).
Age factor. She's in her thirties, bitches! How awesome is that? Grown up, mature women have fun too! And there's no danger of whining or childish decisions here! (unless her inner five year old tries to kick people).
Rare genes have given her the ability to jump ships through grimspace which allows us to meet different planets and crazy people. It kind of feels like Star Trek, BSG and Firefly, all in one.
Contrary of what you'll think, this MC is not right in the head. With every jump, she edges closer to dying and after the initial incident, she fights PTSD all the time. So you'll see her struggling, weak and angry. Somehow refreshing, isn't it?
Humor. You haven't read anything like it. Minor spoiler: Jax and March (I SAID MINOR SPOILER, STOP READING) have this mental connection and they can read each other thoughts in a completely scientifically proved way (I think?) like Barrons and Mac! And the banter between them is askdjnalsjknaskfnkfjn and every time he glares at her askdjaslkdjlks!!<--- this is me fangirling again. Man, I just can't fight these feelings anymooooore ♪♪ I'm a mess, I know.

description

Q: I've heard rumors of insta-love. What can you tell us about it?
A: People are jealous and you should hate them too. Okay, no. Actually, we've had an interesting conversation with the MacHalo freaks about it but I'm not sure this was actual love at first sight. I think there was the little detail of having to share their mind and most intimate thoughts with each other every time they were jumping so that's an advantage you won't see every day. I do think there's a lot of attraction and loneliness but it's near the end of the book that I see real feelings. Also, Tetha Waves? yes, please.

(view spoiler)

Q: How come you're so pretty and intelligent?
A: Well, I think it's important to love yourse-MOM, I'M TALKING WITH MY FRIENDS!

Q: I'm sure you'll review will be awesome. Any final words?
A: One more thing you really need to know about this book: the relationship between Jax and Dina is something we need to see more often. Women trusting each other, supporting each other, that's just fucking real, guys. Also: Baby-Z, Adult Sleepover, Loras (view spoiler), Vel -hands down- and March *swoon* are enough reasons to stop wasting your time with other books.

That's it. Thank you guys for your questions. I love you all, bla bla bla, GO READ THE BOOK and stay classy, San Diego.
____________________

UNICORNS ARE NOT HAPPY

After reading it I must say it: I was wrong, MacHalo freaks were right. This was the right choice. Even Unicorns approve it.

...more

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Nov 22, 2008 new_user rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Recommends it for: UF, Kate Daniels, Jericho Barrons fans

Recommended to new_user by: The Flooze (Michelle M.) Zolkos

Shelves: romantic-scifi

Everyone's already said everything better in their reviews, so I will just say give a few brief points.

Her brilliance unfurls like... uh, like, a flower. Yes. Read to the end. (Many things make more sense later.)

The relationships cement too quickly, but everything else is legit.

This would appeal to urban fantasy fans more than scifi fans. That is, do you like action, first person and a dark, gritty tone? We have the girl for you.

Sirantha's conflicts are actually pretty unique. Paranoia, corpora ...more

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Nov 06, 2009 Danielle The Book Huntress (Winter Frost Queen) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Recommends it for: Fans of the tv show Firefly (rustic Science Fiction)

Shelves: kickbutt-heroine, pilot, part-of-a-series, tormented-heroine, tortured-hero, rustic-science-fiction, angsty-read, not-romance-but-has-love-story, hero-i-loved, good-secondary-characters

If you're looking for a science fiction yarn that will suck you right in, and keep your interest engaged at max warp speed, then this should work. Grimspace takes the concept of interplanetary travel, and integrates the idea that specific people have a gene that allows them to navigate the points within space to decrease the travel time and go to places previously impossible to travel in a reasonable distance. Sort of like a wormhole, but not really. This inner space is called Grimspace, and Sir ...more

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Apr 17, 2010 AH rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: zzread-sept-2010, favorites, first-in-series, babr-reviews, science-fiction

What an awesome book! I was reminded of all of my favorite science fiction shows, the ones with the “rag tag” crews, the beat up spaceships, and the insectoid alien creatures. A little Star Trek, a little Andromeda, a little Battlestar Galactica. Grimspaceis all of that and more. More - because of the fascinating worlds that we get to visit and because it is great science fiction.

Grimspace is an exciting book. There is a lot of action and adventure. There is a lot of running away from scary spac ...more

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Mar 09, 2015 Jo ★The Book Sloth★ rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, adult, fantasy, kick-ass-heroine, insta-love-lust, urban-fantasy

10 Fucking(because freakin' doesn't begin to so the level) AWESOME Stars

This book... WOW!

Review to come...

...more

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Oct 10, 2016 Emma rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Fantastic fast paced light-on-the-sci-Fi with great characters and lots of action. The rest of the series has mixed reviews so I don't know whether I'd want to read on and spoil this first in the series which was an absolute corker! ...more

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Nov 14, 2011 Limonessa rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: with-smut, adult-fiction, ebook, fantasy

Sirantha Jax is one cool name. (view spoiler)

She's a jumper. Jumpers are people gifted with a special J-gene who can take entire spaceships from one place in space to another through Grimspace, something similar to the hyperspace in Star Wars et al., a dimension which allows you to travel light years in no time. When we meet Sirantha, she's in a really bad shape. Locked up in a cell, she's the sole survivor of the Sargasso shipwreck, a spaceship wh ...more

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May 20, 2011 Catie rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Recommended to Catie by: Lyndsey, Flannery

Shelves: sci-fi, read-in-2011, series

So, what is this, like urban sci-fi? How did I not know that this type of thing exists until now?! This book takes so many of my favorite urban fantasy elements: kick ass heroine on the run from a dark past, complicated but powerful male lead, colorful supporting cast, lots of death defying action, snappy dialogue, and superpowers and marries them all to an exciting sci-fi environment. In my humble opinion, this is right up there with the greatest marriages of all time: chocolate and peppermint, ...more

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May 12, 2010 Regina rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Recommended to Regina by: Fans of science fiction; fans of gritty fantasy and urban fantasy; fans of Ann Aguirre/Ava Grey

Shelves: favorites, first-in-series, owned-kindle, science-fiction, 2010-reads

4.25 stars. This is a new favorite series of mine. What I loved about this book (and the series so far), is that it is creative in terms of the struggle the characters are facing and how they resolve it. Aguirre introduces a cast of characters who are written with depth. The heroine -- Jax is a complex person. She has flaws (personality wise, emotionally and physically) and her flaws create problems throughout the storyline. But to me, she is written as a real person -- not perfect, not exceptio ...more

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Jun 01, 2010 Alisha rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Recommends it for: UF fans who are looking to delve into sci-fi.

Shelves: favorites

(From second read-through, August 14-17, 2011)
Still a favorite. What a magnificent book.

(From first read-through, Jan 4-6, 2011)
Rating: 4.5
Quick Take: Yessir, now THIS is what I call a supremely entertaining SF/F romp. The story is intimate character-wise, yet epic plot-wise. The relatively unusual 1st-person-present was used to excellent effect, and resulted in a close connection with the protagonist. An excellent series start.

I've got to make a confession. Though historically science fiction h ...more

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Aug 12, 2014 Mike (the Paladin) rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: science-fantasy, science-fiction, space-opera

Takes deep breath and prepares to duck thrown objects

Look...I know many, many of you love this/these books. I must have had at least a dozen recommendations from friends who loved/love this book. I wanted to. I mean after all no wants to read a book they don't care for.

But I must say that for the first 7/8 of this book I was bored completely out of my "metaphorical skull". Our hero/heroine spend soooo much time agonizing over past events...dealing with angst and reasoning about why she does this ...more

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Mar 14, 2015 Mimi rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: first-in-series, 2015, sci-fi-romance

3.5 stars, rounded up for the rich world--nay--universe building. I was not expecting that at all. I was actually expecting something light and fluffy, you know, "sci-fi romance" like the description said.

Anyhow, this is pretty solid for a rollicking adventure in deep space and just the thing I was looking for. It's fast-paced and full of intrigue with fun characters and an intense plot to boot. I really like what I'm seeing so far and can't wait to read the rest of the series.

My only gripe, tho ...more

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Jan 14, 2010 The Flooze rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Recommends it for: Fans of Serenity. Those who champion the underdog.

Shelves: sci-fi, favorites, vanquished_2010, owned

*4.5*

The short of it?

It's gritty, unapologetic, and fast-paced. Jax and her shipmates are thoroughly unhinged, but mostly pragmatic, with a biting humor that gets them through the dark. Worthwhile introduction to the series. Can also be read as a stand-alone.
_______

The meandering version?

Not too long ago, I read a book where a character claimed he wasn't a good man. He was just a man, doing the best he could do with whatever life threw at him: trying to make a difference in those moments he ...more

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Jul 05, 2009 Nisha rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Recommends it for: Everybody who wants to read something good.

Recommended to Nisha by: new_user

Shelves: science-fiction, scifi-futuristic-romance, opposites-attract, favorites, adventure, frenemies, dangerous-or-bad-boys, urban-fantasy, space-opera, hot-hero-award

I would like to thank everyone who recommended or enticed me with tidbits of this book because it one of the most worthwhile books I've ever read. This is a nice mix of urban fantasy, space opera, and futuristic romance. It's really an urban fantasy set in the future with space travel. It kinda reminds me of Firefly - except with an actual relationship between the lead characters.

The main character is Sirantha Jax, stuck in a facility being mentally tortured for supposedly killing an entire ship I would like to thank everyone who recommended or enticed me with tidbits of this book because it one of the most worthwhile books I've ever read. This is a nice mix of urban fantasy, space opera, and futuristic romance. It's really an urban fantasy set in the future with space travel. It kinda reminds me of Firefly - except with an actual relationship between the lead characters.

The main character is Sirantha Jax, stuck in a facility being mentally tortured for supposedly killing an entire ship and her pilot. She is freed by March and his rag-time group for some project to use her talents to overthrow the current galactic government. After her treatment in her jail along with her natural propensity as a J-gene carrier, Jax is a little wacked. Paranoia, guilt-induced suicidal thoughts, hysteria (when given the right stimulus) - its all there. March is a real piece of work. He's a psi and becomes Jax's pilot (a supposedly very intimate connection), but they are not exactly on the best of terms; a mutual dislike seems to cover. But I love their interaction when they thought that they hated each other. March is the ultimate tortured soul, bad-boy hero. But mind you, it reads like an urban fantasy, so he's not rescuing her right and left, just at the very beginning. Together, along with random people they seemed to meet, they try to survive long enough to create a revolution - or at least in Jax's case, stay alive away from the government.

I love the secondary characters too. Dina, the lesbian mechanic is hilarious and the Doc and Loras are great buffers between the moments of tension between Jax and March. Let's not forget Baby Z, the frog baby alien thing.

I would recommend this to everyone. It is fantastic and hilarious and the adventure I was looking for. Jax starts of a little messed up and originally quite selfish, and she grows and deals with it. Bad luck seems to follow her, so I'm excited to see what kind of trouble she gets into in the next book. There is no cliffhanger in the end, but it is nicely concluded. It is only our fascination with Jax that makes us want more. ...more

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Sep 04, 2011 Anzu The Great Destroyer rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Recommends it for: UF Sci-Fi fans and cool people

Shelves: zomg-i-must-have-him, suburban-fantasy, dat-cover-goddammit, reviewed-2011, science-and-space-and-crap, ball-busting-chicks, i-am-stalking-you, a-bit-of-mush, must-reads

Guess what made me choose this book! Anyone? You! The boy wearing the creepy frog mask! Tell me the answer!

...

Never gets old...

Ooor maybe it’s the coolness of Mass Effect. Good times being Commander Shepard...

Aaaanypoop let’s put an end to this useless jabbering! Back to our precious book!

Overall the story was very interesting. A sh*tload of action, a bunch of remarkable characters and some well-placed drama. I just mostly care about the action. And March. Mmmmmmmm…. I immediately got attached t ...more

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Mar 01, 2015 Milda Page Runner rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Recommended to Milda by: Giedre

Shelves: science-fiction, action-adventure, romance

“Sirantha Jax doesn't just leap off the page—she storms out, kicking, cursing, and mouthing off.”
Sharon Shinn
Yep, that’s about right. :)

Intense and fast paced action-adventure sci-fi with mystery and romance. Although there is plenty of space travel, aliens, events on board of the spaceship and landing on various planets – this is not a hard sci-fi – and some readers may be disappointed with a lack of science or explanation of how the things work. I was happy to sacrifice it for the immersion a “Sirantha Jax doesn't just leap off the page—she storms out, kicking, cursing, and mouthing off.”
Sharon Shinn
Yep, that’s about right. :)

Intense and fast paced action-adventure sci-fi with mystery and romance. Although there is plenty of space travel, aliens, events on board of the spaceship and landing on various planets – this is not a hard sci-fi – and some readers may be disappointed with a lack of science or explanation of how the things work. I was happy to sacrifice it for the immersion and intensity of the story. It is very much action focused and would be acceptable for most urban fantasy readers due to delicious blend of mystery, romance and adventure and kick-ass foul-mouthed female lead. It is more sexed up than your usual sci-fi but romantic storyline doesn’t take over the plot. I had my doubts and there were few moments when I was worried it will turn out too romantic or melodramatic for my taste, but both times story took the right turn just in time. In the end I felt it was quite well balanced and entertaining read.
Death toll is fairly high in this story and no one is truly safe – not even cute purring aliens I’m afraid, but there is plenty of humour and sarcasm to outweigh the dark moments and along with the ending it has a generally positive vibe.
Highly recommended for the adventure sci-fi readers who don’t mind some romance in their story, people who like strong female characters, urban fantasy readers.

All of us snap, sooner or later—you can’t spend so much time jacked into grimspace without losing part of yourself. Jumpers know the risks and yet the drive toward exploration, the need to be the first to see a new rim world, make first planetfall with our pilots, these things fire us along an ultimately self-destructive course.

The Psychs don’t realize the reason I’m not completely nuts, since I’ve been running a lot longer than most, is that my early life granted me the ability to compartmentalize. Just shut stuff off, lock it away. In a room inside my head part of me may, in fact, already be gibbering mad, but I don’t let that one out to howl.

Gravitational pull. My mind’s wide-open, full of flares, sheer artistry that even the best pilot cannot comprehend. At its most basic level, the universe is beautiful. We’re about to slingshot through our target beacon and back out to straight space. I’ve done it.

When I come into the central hub, though, conversation dies as if I’ve lobbed a grenade. I drop down in one of the empty places and fold my ankle up on my knee. Wait. It doesn’t take too long. Most people can’t stomach silence; it provides too much opportunity to think about things they prefer to avoid.

So I guess I can understand why someone is interested in finding out what makes me tick. Unlock my secrets, and maybe he could improve productivity for other jumpers. That’d be a good thing, overall. However, the critter that winds up dissected for the greater good…well, I’m guessing it probably doesn’t feel too pleased about the contribution.

His sincerity gets to me. It’s easy to be tough when everyone around you is bristling with rancor and suspicion, but let someone show you some genuine kindness, and you find yourself on the verge of breaking down.

“You’re a hex, lady, dark luck, powerful bad juju, ken?” “Only to people who try to kidnap me,” I tell him sweetly, and March snorts, so I feel obliged to add, “Or rescue me…” And then Dina makes a pfft sound. “Or who travel with me…” My gaze sweeps around the darkened interior, trying to find an ally, but nobody will hold my eyes more than two seconds, it seems. “Fine, frag you all, I’m dark juju, bad luck, and you’re all doomed.”

You’re a fucking coward, Jax, and you’re running because you’re scared you found something worth dying for, something more important than you.” I grit my teeth. “You know what I see? Someone afraid of finding something worth living for. Everyone you love dies, so you decided it’s better to be a doomed hero, and you don’t care who you drag down with you.

But he’s not content just to slice it short. I start when I feel the blade scraping across my skull. “What the frag—” “It’ll help you pass for a boy,” Dina explains. She takes a closer look then and gives me a roguish grin. “Or a really cute butch. Rawr. Er, anyway, try to keep your head down until we can do something about those eyes.” “What’s wrong with my eyes?!” “They’re memorable,”

Yeah, they proved there’s nothing spiritual, no such thing as a soul, but I’m not sure I can wholly put my faith in science anymore. Miracles are possible. I believe.
...more

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Aug 25, 2011 UniquelyMoi ~ BlithelyBookish rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: provided-by-author, 5-stars, series-sirantha-jax, reviewed-for-author, reviewed-by-me, first-in-series-trilogy-duet, 2011-reads, own-have-read, sci-fi-series, format-paperback

'The name’s misleading. Grimspace means inexorable, implacable. Not to be appeased. You see, grimspace will have its due from all who traverse it. But it’s beautiful there or we wouldn’t be drawn back, time and again, driven on by a jones stronger than anything mankind could devise. Jumpers burn out smiling for a reason.

My pretty poisonous mistress, I’m coming back.'

Grimspace is the first book of the Sirantha Jax series and, as is often the case with a new series, there’s a whole lot of world ...more

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Aug 31, 2013 Vicky rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 2015-reads, couldn-t-put-it-down, romance, buddy-reads, favorites, own-on-kindle, science-fiction, adult

BR with the extremely ~~dysfunctional~~ lovable MacHalo fam, starting March 9th, 2015.

Rating: 4,5 stars.

That moment when you realize you've found a new favorite series:

"Can you really tell that after reading just 1 installment?", you ask...

You bet I can!
Even Sarah liked it. <--- Irrefutable proof that this book was amazing. (But really, EVERYONE in the BR group loved it.)

Reasons why this book is awesome and YOU should read it:

1) Jax and tropes. What tropes? Pfft! Forget about those annoying suckers ...more

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Jun 04, 2010 Flannery rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: read-on-kindle, swords-and-lasers, read-in-2010, i-want-to-go-to-there

I felt kind of like I was reading portions of Battlestar Galactica (maybe mixing in a little ST, The Matrix and Stargate) as a book--and I mean that as a total compliment. I enjoyed the space drama and the descriptions of the universe and the ships they flew, as well as the descriptions of jacking in to grimspace and sharing experiences.

My one major gripe was with the description of the main characters. Obviously every character has flaws--I get it--but if you keep trying to make a character so ...more

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Mar 09, 2015 JAIME rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: buddy-reads, read-2015, favorites

That. Was. Awesome.

RTC - Because, Book II

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Jun 19, 2011 Angela rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011-read, sci-fi, romance, 2012-read, review-books-done, second-copy, paperbook

I do not normally read any sort of sci-fi book. I'm just not a fan of the futuristic/space travel sort of books. I was urged to try this one by a good friend who said it was phenomenal.

It took me a little bit to get into the book. Jax has a very different voice than I'm used to reading, and it took me a while to tune into how she thought and talked. But it's that very uniqueness of voice that makes me really enjoy the character later.

The storyline is new, to me, interesting, and fast paced. I re ...more

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About Ann Aguirre

Ann Aguirre

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New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Ann Aguirre has been a clown, a clerk, a savior of stray kittens, and a voice actress, not necessarily in that order. She grew up in a yellow house across from a cornfield, but now she lives in Mexico with her family. She writes all kinds of genre fiction, but she has an eternal soft spot for a happily ever after.

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“No matter how interminable something feels, there is always, always an ending. Sometimes that's good, and sometimes it's bad; sometimes it's a matter of indifference, and sometimes it's heartbreaking, and your life is never the same thereafter.” — 103 likes

“Once exposed, a secret loses all its power.” — 94 likes

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(Sirantha Jax #1)

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